Expert explained how current Belarusian People’s Congress would differ from previous ones

Two days remain until the most important event for Belarus. This week, on April 24th-25th, the Belarusian People’s Congress will begin work in a new constitutional status. In his talk with Alfa Radio, the Dean of the Journalism Department at the Belarusian State University, political expert Aleksei Belyaev, revealed what Belarusians should expect from the Belarusian People’s Congress.

Aleksei Belyaev noted that the interest in the Belarusian People’s Congress has been very high lately, and, the agenda, powers, delegates, and other issues related to it are very openly discussed in Belarus.

“It should be understood that the Belarusian People’s Congress, which will be held on April 24th-25th, is very different from the previous ones. Earlier, it was an informal veche [popular assembly], a place of people's congress, where the President gave a report, where strategic goals for the country’s development were outlined, but at the same time, it had no legal consequences, it was rather an act of unification, a moral and ethical assembly. But now the Belarusian People’s Congress has received the status of a legally significant one, and part of the powers of both the President and parliamentarians have been transferred to it,” the expert explained.

According to Aleksei Belyaev, today the Belarusian People’s Congress is a ‘fool-proof’ in case some geopolitical disruptions occur and questions arise about the existence of the Motherland. According to the Dean of the Faculty of Journalism at BSU, the Belarusian People’s Congress should become an anchor that will leave Belarus standing where it is now.

“The Belarusian People’s Congress should determine foreign policy priorities, which have been fixed since the 1990s. This includes the Union with Russia, allied relations within the EAEU, and a focus on this part of the world,” Aleksei Belyaev added.

At the same time, the Belarusian People’s Congress has authority on certain personnel issues. The expert explained that today it will appoint very important people – the entire leadership of the CEC employees, on whom the recognition or non-recognition of elections and their conduct at all levels depends. Earlier, Aleksei Belyaev recalled, it was the prerogative of the President and Parliament.

“There will also be control over the judicial system. It is important that the Belarusian People’s Congress will now decide whether to take part in any foreign military actions for our peacekeepers <...> The Belarusian People’s Congress will also exercise control over the President, and has the possibility of his urgent removal from power in case of violation of any laws. Of course, we are not talking about our current Head of State – he himself is an example of service to the Motherland. But if, again, as in 2020, there will be attempts to put a puppet figure in power, then in this case, the possibilities and limitations of power on the part of the Belarusian People’s Congress are provided,” the expert added.

Aleksei Belyaev summed up by saying that the Belarusian People’s Congress is not just a combination of words, it is now a law, so everything that will be adopted there will gain legal force.